FAT Far Eastern Air Transport
A former Taiwanese scheduled carrier that linked domestic cities with regional destinations in mainland China and Hong Kong, primarily using MD-83 aircraft.
About FAT Far Eastern Air Transport
Far Eastern Air Transport, commonly known as FAT, was a Taiwanese scheduled airline founded in 1957. Its legal name was Far Eastern Air Transport, and it operated under the FE airline code from its headquarters in Taiwan. The privately owned carrier had a long but uneven history, including a suspension of operations in 2008, a return to scheduled flying in 2011 and a final shutdown in December 2019.
Taipei was the airline’s principal base, while Kaohsiung had the largest number of departures in its route network. FAT operated 18 routes serving 11 destinations across Taiwan, mainland China and Hong Kong. Its network included Taipei, Kaohsiung and Makung domestically, alongside regional services to Hong Kong and the mainland Chinese cities of Nanning, Chengdu, Guiyang, Haikou, Hefei, Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan.
The Boeing/McDonnell Douglas MD-83 was the defining aircraft type in Far Eastern Air Transport’s later operations. These narrow-body jets were used on domestic sectors and medium-length regional routes, including cross-strait services. The onboard product was conventional rather than highly differentiated, and cabin arrangements could vary by aircraft. Travellers encountered an older fleet than those operated by many competing Taiwanese and regional airlines.
Far Eastern Air Transport did not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It also lacked the broad alliance connections and internationally established frequent-flyer ecosystem available through Taiwan’s larger network carriers. No current loyalty programme applies because FAT is no longer operating, so former membership benefits, mileage arrangements or account balances should not be assumed to remain usable.
FAT’s strength was its coverage of secondary cross-strait markets, including cities that were not always served nonstop by larger competitors. Its compact network also provided links between Taiwan’s main population centres and Makung in the Penghu Islands. However, the airline experienced serious financial and operational instability, and its abrupt 2019 closure left passengers without service. FAT should therefore be treated as a historical carrier rather than an airline available for present-day booking.
Good to know
Flying with FAT Far Eastern Air Transport — what to expect
No Longer Operating
Far Eastern Air Transport ceased operations in December 2019. Tickets sold under the FE code should not be available for current travel.
Historical Route Network
FAT served domestic Taiwanese routes and regional links to mainland China and Hong Kong. Current alternatives must be booked with operating carriers.
Older Aircraft Fleet
The MD-83 was characteristic of FAT’s later fleet and offered a more traditional narrow-body cabin than newer aircraft. Seat layouts and onboard amenities varied by aircraft.
Baggage Rules Historical
Former FAT baggage allowances are no longer applicable to new journeys. Check the operating airline’s current limits before packing, especially for cabin baggage.
No Alliance Membership
FAT was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. Travellers could not rely on alliance-wide mileage earning, lounge access or through-ticket protections.
Check Airline Identity
When researching old itineraries, distinguish Far Eastern Air Transport from currently operating Taiwanese airlines. The FE and FEA codes relate to this defunct carrier.
Network overview
Where FAT Far Eastern Air Transport flies
FAT Far Eastern Air Transport operates 18 routes to 11 destinations across 3 countries, its longest sector reaching Chengdu to Kaohsiung (1,854 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities FAT Far Eastern Air Transport flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Chengdu → Kaohsiung
1,854 km · CTU → KHH
The longest sector in the FAT Far Eastern Air Transport network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by FAT Far Eastern Air Transport
Notable destinations on FAT Far Eastern Air Transport's network.
Destination list is indicative of FAT Far Eastern Air Transport's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Taiwan
Other airlines based in Taiwan
FAQ
FAT Far Eastern Air Transport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- FAT’s former carry-on rules are not relevant to current bookings because the airline has ceased operations. Travellers using an alternative carrier should check that airline’s latest size, weight and item limits before departure.
- Before ceasing operations, FAT served destinations in Taiwan, mainland China and Hong Kong. Its network included Kaohsiung, Taipei, Makung, Hong Kong, Nanning, Chengdu, Guiyang, Haikou, Hefei, Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan.
- FAT served exactly 11 destinations across 3 countries, operating 18 routes. These figures describe its historical network because the airline is no longer operating.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because FAT no longer operates, results may instead show current airlines serving comparable routes.
- Taipei was FAT’s principal base, while Kaohsiung was its busiest departure point by number of routes. The other leading departure cities were Nanning, Chengdu and Haikou.
- FAT’s longest route was Chengdu to Kaohsiung, about 1,854 km nonstop. This was part of the airline’s cross-strait network.
- FAT tickets are no longer sold because the airline ceased operations in December 2019. For comparable routes, compare operating airlines across flexible dates and avoid major holidays when demand is typically higher.
- The busiest departure hubs by number of routes were Kaohsiung, Taipei, Nanning, Chengdu and Haikou, in that order. FAT no longer offers departures from these airports.